Ann's Testimony to kits and science

A testimony from Ann

a 6th grade teacher in East Bay

    I left the notebook training session last Monday and thought more about Jane’s (name changed) statement that our kits are a tool to use in our classrooms in order to better teach our students. It reminded me of when my husband and I built our house. We did it ourselves and used many different types of tools in order to complete all aspects from the shell to the finished work. The building could not be done with just a basic saw or hammer. There were many specialized tools, each had a purpose and was needed to complete the building of a strong, well made house.

    The kits are just one tool, specialized and have an important purpose of bringing hands-on science inquiry into our classroom. In order to complete the building of a strong well made science foundation for our students we need to use other tools along with the kits. The notebooks as well as trade books, text books and research are other tools that must be used together to teach all of our students, no matter what their learning style. The role of the teacher is to act as the builder of a strong educational experience for our students, using many tools to create an environment of differentiated instruction.